Digital camera and printing system

ABSTRACT

With a digital camera  100,  a photographed image  31  is displayed on a liquid crystal display and the user selects a desired image and specifies print specifications of the number of print sheets, a print paper size, a print color mode, etc., then print image data is prepared. The prepared print image data is transmitted from the digital camera  100  to a color printer of an output unit. An image is printed at the color printer in accordance with the print image data.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF THE APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of Ser. No. 10/298,087 filed on Nov.18, 2002, which is a continuation application of Ser. No. 09/081,786filed on May 20, 1998, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,553 on Sep.9, 2003; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a digital camera and in particular to adigital camera capable of outputting image data directly to a printerand a printing system using the same.

2. Related Art

In recent years, digital cameras (still-video cameras) have beendeveloped, sold, and finding spreading use.

The digital camera is configured to execute photoelectric conversion ofimage pickup light to provide image data, record the image data on arecording medium, and output the recorded image data to an externalimage processing system such as a personal computer (PC). The externalimage processing system performs print image data preparation processingand outputs the prepared print image data to a printer for printing orreproducing the picked-up image on paper.

Most digital cameras comprise each a liquid crystal display fordisplaying the image pickup result and the image data provided byphotoelectric conversion is compressed and recorded on a recordingmedium. To compress the image data, normally JPEG (Joint PhotographicExpert Group) standard is applied.

To select an image on a PC, a number of thumbnail images compressed inJPEG (described later) are previously input and displayed on a monitor.The picked-up image data corresponding to a selected thumbnail image isinput from the digital camera and is decompressed, then displayed on themonitor. When the user recognizes it, color print image data preparationprocessing is performed and the image is printed at a printer connectedto the PC.

The thumbnail image is a reduced image used for the user to select adesired image out of the input image data on a PC, etc. For example,assuming that the size of 1-frame image data is 680×480 pixels, thecorresponding thumbnail image is reduced by thinning out the data toabout 80×60 pixels; the thumbnail images are recorded on a recordingmedium of the digital camera in a one-to-one correspondence with normalpicked-up images.

When color print image data preparation processing is performed, printimage data preparation processing is performed by programs on the PC toreproduce or print a color image (video) with high accuracy and bit mapdata is prepared for each print color required for drawing and is givento a printer together with a control signal for performing the colorimage reproduction operation on recording paper.

A color print ink jet printer capable of printing a high-quality imagelike a picture or a photo is developed and sold as a color printer.

The above-mentioned print image data preparation processing programs arecontained in a program group called a printer driver in a dataprocessing module 210 as shown In FIG. 11. A printer driver 220 normallycomprises three modules of rasterizer, color correction, and halftone asmeans for obtaining binary data.

However, usually the PC comprises a large number of application programsother than image (video) print processing because of generalversatility. The application programs and the above-mentioned printerdriver operate under the control of windows, MS-DOS, etc., (PC operatingsystem (OS) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation).

Therefore, to perform image print processing, the user needs to entercommands as specified by the OS for reading the print processingapplication program and the printer driver into PC internal memory froma storage unit storing them (for example, magnetic disk) and placingthem in an executable state. However, it takes time (so-called overheadtime) to enter commands and read the print processing applicationprogram and the printer driver; the overhead time requires severalminutes at the shortest, thus it takes time to start.

Although PCs are finding remarkable spreading use, many problems remainto be solved for users to know how to actually handle PCs; it is alsopointed out that most persons who have PCs cannot master them. If theyattempt to install the image (video) print processing applicationprogram and the printer driver, they may find it difficult to installthe software or may not understand how to enter the commands.

The need for using an expensive PC only for the purpose of printingpicked-up images involves remarkable impairment of user's convenience.

Examining demands for simplifying the print processing operation andreducing the overhead time almost to zero from the aspect of the digitalcamera, preferably, for example, image data can be output from thedigital camera directly to a printer without intervention of a PC and adesired picked-up image can be printed on a desired number of printsheets in a desired paper size and print color mode. More preferably, anexternal unit to which image data is to be transmitted including aprinter can be specified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a digital camerahaving capabilities of outputting image data directly to an externalsystem and printing a desired image under desired print specificationsof the number of print sheets, paper size, mint color mode, etc. It isanother object of the invention to provide a printing system using thedigital camera.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a digitalcamera for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickup light andthen recording the conversion result as image data, the digital cameracomprising a display section for displaying an image, a recording mediumfor recording the image data, image data selection means for selectingdesired image data out of the recording medium, and output methodspecification means for outputting the selected image data to anexternal system under predetermined output specifications. The imagedata selection means reads the image data for each frame and adds anindex to the image data for display on the display section.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a digitalcamera for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickup light andthen recording the conversion result as image data and thumbnail imagedata of the image data, the digital camera comprising a display sectionfor displaying an image, a recording medium for recording the image dataand the thumbnail image data, thumbnail image display means for readingthe thumbnail image data from the recording medium and displayingthumbnail images on the display section, image data selection means forselecting one of the displayed thumbnail images, thereby selectingdesired image data corresponding thereto, and output methodspecification means for outputting the selected image data to anexternal system under predetermined output specifications The thumbnailimage display means enlarges and displays the thumbnail image.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided adigital camera for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickuplight and then recording the conversion result as image data andthumbnail image data of the image data, the digital camera comprising adisplay section for displaying an image, a recording medium forrecording the image data and the thumbnail image data, thumbnail imageprint means for printing out the thumbnail image data recorded on therecording medium at an external printer, thumbnail image display meansfor reading the thumbnail image data from the recording medium anddisplaying thumbnail images on the display section, image data selectionmeans for selecting one of the displayed thumbnail images based on theprinted thumbnail images, thereby selecting desired image datacorresponding thereto, and output method specification means foroutputting the selected image data to an external system underpredetermined output specifications. The thumbnail image print meansadds an index to each thumbnail image data piece and outputs to theexternal printer and the index of one of the indexed thumbnail imagesprinted is specified, whereby the image data selection means selectsdesired image data corresponding thereto.

With the digital cameras according to the three aspects of theinvention, the external system is a color printer and the predeterminedoutput specifications contain at least one of the number of printcopies, a print paper size, and a print color mode for printing theimage data. The print color mode is full color, single color, ormonochrome. The external system contains a printer or a facsimile or animage processing system connected by a communication line.

A printing system provided according to the invention comprises of thethree types of digital cameras described above and a color printer as anexternal system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGS. 1(a)-1(b) are block diagrams to show a configuration example of adigital camera of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of controlmeans stored in ROM;

FIGS. 3(a)-3(d) are block diagrams to show a configuration example ofimage selection means,

FIG. 4 is a block diagram to show the relationship among image selectionmeans, print image data preparation programs, and control means;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart to show brief operation of a control section;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of outputmethod specification means;

FIGS. 7(a)-7 (b) are examples of a rear part view of the digital camera;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart to show an operation example from image selectionto print image data preparation;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart to show another operation example from imageselection to print image data preparation;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart to show another operation example from imageselection to print image data preparation; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram to show an example of print image datapreparation programs used to prepare print data on a personal computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of a digitalcamera of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 a, a digital camera 100 comprises an optical systemconsisting of a lens, an iris mechanism, etc., through which reflectedlight from an image to be photographed is incident on a CCD 2, the CCD 2for converting image pickup light from the optical system 1 into anelectric signal, a signal processing section 3 for processing the signalfrom the CCD 2 and outputting the processed signal to a frame memory 6as multiple-valued (R, G, B) raster data (image data), a control section4 for controlling the operation of the signal processing section, framememories 6 and 6′, a signal processing section 7, and a recording mediumcontrol section 8, image processing, image compression/decompressionprocessing, etc., input means 5 for inputting a command entered by theuser operating a switch, etc., converting the command into a digitalsignal, and feeding the digital signal into the control section 4, thesignal processing section 7 for converting R, G, B raster data in theframe memory into brightness component Y and color difference componentsU and V, compressing the data in JPEG, and performing reductionprocessing for preparing a thumbnail image, a recording medium controlsection 8 for receiving output of the signal processing section 7 andcontrolling writing of the image data compressed in JPEG, which will behereinafter referred to as JPEG image data, and thumbnail image datainto predetermined locations of a recording medium 9 or an expandedrecording medium 10, read of the recorded JPEG image data therefrom,etc., the recording medium 9 and expanded recording medium 10 forstoring image data, an interface 11 used to transfer data to and from anexternal system, display means 15 of a LED lamp, etc., for displayingthe switch state, functional specifications, etc., and display means 16made of a liquid crystal display, etc., for displaying a photographedimage or an object to be picked up. Display means 15 and display means16 are examples of means for displaying.

The frame memory 6 normally is used as an image display memory of theliquid crystal display 16 and image data is expanded in bit map image.The frame memory 6′ normally is used as a menu display memory of theliquid crystal display 16. At the display time on the liquid crystaldisplay 16, the contents of the frame memories 6 and 6′ are superimposedon each other on the display.

The recording medium 9 is made of a 4-MB flash memory fixed in thecamera 100. It can be configured to record not only image data, but alsoprograms, etc. Compact flash (trademarks of Sun Disk) having a capacityof 4-40 MB is used as the expanded recording medium 10 in theembodiment. The recording medium 9 and expanded recording medium 10 areexamples of means for recording image data.

A serial interface is used as the interface 11 in the embodiment toreceive a program sent from a computer such as a PC 200, transmit imagedata to the PC 200, send image data via a modem 150 to a communicationline 160, etc., and transmit print image data to a printer 240 or afacsimile machine.

FIG. 1 b shows the configuration of the control section 4 which consistsof a CPU 41, a RAM 42, and a ROM 43. The ROM 43 stores control means 430made up of programs required for operation control of the digital camera100 and data processing in the digital camera such as data compressionprocessing (FIG. 2).

Print data preparation programs including printer driver may be storedin the ROM 43. Alternatively, they can also be read from an externalrecording medium such as magnetic disk, CD-ROM, or a memory card intothe recording medium 9 or the expanded recording medium 10 and be readtherefrom for execution at a desired time.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of the controlmeans 430 stored in the ROM 43. The control means 430 consists of meansrequired for operation control of the digital camera 100, image dataprocessing means required in the process of storing image data such ascompression of image data, and means for decompressing compressed imagedata and preparing print data. Normally, the means are made of programs.

The control means 430 comprises a control system 431, input commanddetermination means 432, an internal program group 433, external programreception means 434, data management means 435, and display data outputmeans 436.

The control system 431 controls the whole operation of the digitalcamera 100, for example, an aperture motor drive section (not shown) inthe optical system, the operation of the signal processing section 3,the frame memory 6, the signal processing section 7, and the recordingmedium control section 8, and execution of the input commanddetermination means 432 to the display data output means 436.

When the user selects desired operation or processing by operating aswitch, etc., disposed on the digital camera 100, the input commanddetermination means 432 determines a digital signal output from theinput means 5 and determines what the user-entered command operation is.According to the determination result, the input command determinationmeans 432 transfers control to the corresponding program in the internalprogram group 433 or transfers control to the control system 431 for theexternal program reception means 434 to receive an external program.

The internal program group 433 consists of programs for controllingstorage of picked-up image data in the recording medium 9, read or writeof data from or into the expanded recording medium 10, LED display atthe image picking up time, etc.,; the programs are contained in the ROM43 as basic processing programs. For example, the internal programsinclude a JPEG compression program required for writing image data intothe recording medium 9.

The external program reception means 434 is started when the inputcommand determination means 432 outputs an external program introductioncommand.

The external program reception means 434 determines which of the PC orthe like, the expanded recording medium 10, and the communication line aprogram is to be introduced from by the contents of the external programintroduction command and performs corresponding reception processing,then transfers control to the data management means 435.

When picked-up image data is written into the recording medium 9,deleted, or added or program code introduced from the outside iswritten, deleted, or added, the data management means 435 performs datamanagement equivalent to file management widely performed in a computersuch as the PC.

The image data (data compressed in JPEG) and thumbnail image data areprocessed by the internal program 433 or its equivalent circuit and arewritten into the recording medium 9 by the recording medium controlsection 8.

The display data output means 436 outputs LED display data, image data,or display data of a menu, etc., to the LED display means 15 or theliquid crystal display 16 of the digital camera 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram to show a configuration example of imageselection means 45.

Image selection means 45A shown in FIG. 3 a comprises print imageselection means 453 for displaying picked-up image data on the liquidcrystal display 16 in order for the user to select a desired print imageand output method specification means 454 for specifying printspecifications of the number of print sheets, print paper size, printcolor mode (full color, single color, monochrome), etc., and an externalsystem to which the image data is to be transmitted. (See firstembodiment.)

Image selection means 45B shown in FIG. 3 b comprises thumbnail imagedisplay means 452 for displaying thumbnail image data on the liquidcrystal display 16 in a fast forward manner, print image selection means453′ for requesting the user to select a desired image from amongdisplayed thumbnail images and displaying the image data correspondingto the user-selected thumbnail image for the user to recognize it, andoutput method specification means 454 for specifying printspecifications and an external system to which the image data is to betransmitted. (See second embodiment.) The output method specificationmeans 454 is an example of a means for causing the means for displayingto display an output method specification screen.

Image selection means 45C shown in FIG. 3 c comprises thumbnail imageprint means 452′ for adding index code to thumbnail image data andtransmitting to a printer for printing thumbnail images, print imageselection means 453″ for displaying a thumbnail image selection screenon the liquid crystal display 16 for the user to specify a desired imagebased on the printed thumbnail images and displaying the specified imagedata for the user to recognize it, and output method specification means454 for specifying print specifications and an external system to whichthe image data is to be transmitted. (See third embodiment.)

Image selection means 45D shown in FIG. 3 d comprises additional imageselection method specification means 451 for the user to select eitherthe image selection means 45B or 45C.

The image selection means 45A, 45B, 45C, or 45D may be introduced fromthe outside or can also be stored in the ROM 43 as one of the internalprograms 433 making up the control means 430 (FIG. 2). The output methodspecification means 454 has a setup value registration table comprisingsetup values and image index numbers provided in a one-to-onecorrespondence with each other.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation to execute a direct print functionfor transmitting print image data to a printer, showing the relationshipamong the image selection means 45, the print image data preparationprogram group 50, and the control means 430. FIG. 5 is a flowchart toshow the operation of the control section 4 when the direct printfunction is executed.

In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the user turns on an image selectionprocessing switch, the input command determination means 432 gives codemeaning image selection to the control system 431, which then reads theimage selection means (program) 45 from the ROM 43 or the recordingmedium 9 through the recording medium control section 8 at step P1.

When the image selection means 45 is expanded in the RAM 42, the controlsystem 431 transfers control to the image selection means 45. When theuser selects a desired image and specifies a desired output method, theimage selection means 45 goes to step P3 if the external system to whichimage data is to be transmitted is the printer 240 or a facsimilemachine. If the external system is the PC 200 or image data is sent tothe communication line through the modem 150, the image selection means45 goes to step P5 and transfers control to the control system 431 (P2).

The control system 431 gives an instruction for reading the print imagedata preparation program group 50 stored in the ROM 43 or the recordingmedium 9 through the recording medium control section 8. The programs(51, 52, 531, 532, 533, 54) in the print image data preparation programgroup 50 are read in the instruction order of the control system 431 andare expanded in the RAM 42 at step P3.

The control system 431 transfers control to the programs in the printimage data preparation program group 50 in order for preparing printimage data. At the termination of preparing the print image data at stepP4, control goes to step P5. The 1-frame image data can also be dividedinto several blocks in the subscanning direction for preparing the printimage data.

If the specified external system is the printer 240, the image datatransmission means 54 transmits print image data and print control datavia the interface 11 to the printer 240. If the specified externalsystem is a facsimile machine, the image data transmission means 54transmits monochrome print image data. If the external system is the PC200 or image data is sent to the communication line through the modem150, the image data transmission means 54 transmits image data or printimage data and print control data at step P5. The interface 11 is anexample of a means for directly transmitting the selected image data andthe specified number of copies to an external printer.

UV components of the image data (YUV component data) transferred to theprint image data preparation program group 50 are set to U=u and V=v(−1<u<1 and −1<v<1), whereby the image data output from the print imagedata preparation program group 50 can be made single-color (for example,sepia, blue, or green) image data. U=0 and V=0 are set, whereby theimage data output from the print image data preparation program group 50can be made monochrome image data.

The print image data preparation program group 50 contains a datadecompression program 51 for decompressing compressed data read from therecording medium 9, an RGB conversion program 52 for converting imagedata consisting of YUV components into RGB components, a printer driver53, and image data transmission program 54 for transmitting print data.

The printer driver 53 has the same configuration as a printer driver forpreparing print data in PC, etc., and comprises three modules ofrasterizer, color correction, and halftone to provide binary data.

Preferably, a color conversion parameter is added to the RGB conversionprogram 52 and a UV value conversion routine for setting U=0 and Y=0 atthe preceding stage of RGB conversion when the color conversionparameter is set to a given value (for example, ‘0, 0’) is added.

The image data transmission program 54 can also be configured totransmit print image data with the digital camera 100 connected to thecommunication line through the modem connected to the interface 11.Further, it can also be configured to transmit print image data bywireless with the digital camera 100 connected to a radio unit such as aportable telephone through the modem connected to the interface 11.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram to show the configuration of the output methodspecification means 454. The output method specification means 454comprises output method specification screen display means 4541 fordisplaying an output method specification screen for specifying printspecifications and an external system to which image data is to betransmitted (FIG. 7 b), number-of-print-sheets specification means 4542for specifying the number of print sheets, print size specificationmeans 4543 for specifying a print paper size, print color modespecification means 4544 for specifying a print color mode, and outputunit specification means 4545 for specifying an external system to whichimage data is to be transmitted.

Preferably, the print size specification means 4543 comprises a table inwhich print paper sizes, such as A4, A6, and postcard or business cardsize, L format, and E format used with normal silver salt photos, arepreviously registered.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the rear part of the digital camera 100. Thedigital camera 100 is provided on the rear with the liquid crystaldisplay 16 for displaying an image or a function menu, etc., buttons 19and 20 for scrolling the screen of the liquid crystal display 16 up anddown and from side to side, and function selection buttons 17 and 18.FIG. 7 a provides an image display example and 7 b provides an outputmethod specification screen example.

Embodiment

Embodiments of image selection means 45 (45A, 45B, 45C, 45D) will bediscussed.

First Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a flowchart to show an operation example of image selectionmeans 45A. In the operation example, photographed image data pieces aredisplayed in order on a liquid crystal display and the user is requestedto select a desired print image and specify print specifications of thenumber of print sheets, print paper size, print color mode (color,single color, or monochrome), etc., then print image data is preparedand transmitted to an external system.

When the image selection means 45A is transferred to a RAM 42, a controlsystem 431 transfers control to the image selection means 45A. Printimage selection means 453 reads 1-frame image data, transfers the imagedata to a frame memory 6, uses a data decompression program to decomposeJPEG image data, and displays a candidate image 31 on a liquid crystaldisplay 16 at step S1. In this case, an index number is added to thecandidate image on the display.

If the user continues to press a button 19, the print image selectionmeans 453 displays candidate images in order. When the user releases thebutton, the print image selection means 453 stops the display at thecurrent image. If the user continues to press a button 20, the printimage selection means 453 displays the preceding candidate images inorder. When the user releases the button, the print image selectionmeans 453 stops the display at the current candidate image at step S2.

If the user presses either the button 17 or 18, the print imageselection means 453 assumes the candidate image to be selected andtransfers control to output method specification means 454 at step S3.

The output method specification means 454 displays an output methodspecification menu as shown in FIG. 7 b by output method specificationscreen display means 4541, prompting the user to select or enter theprint specifications and the external system to which image data is tobe transmitted.

At this time, initial display is, for example, “number of printsheets=1, print paper size=A4, print color mode=full color, outputunit=color printer.” The inside of a box 21 that can be specified orselected is displayed in a color different from the colors of otherboxes at step S4.

First, when the user presses the button 17 or 18, number-of-print-sheetsspecification means 4542 goes to a step for specifying the number ofprint sheets. Each time the user presses a button 19, the number ofprint sheets is incremented by one starting at the initial value and theresultant number of sheets is displayed. Each time the user presses abutton 20, the number of print sheets displayed is decremented by one.If the user presses either the button 17 or 18, the current displayvalue is set as the number of print sheets and is stored in the locationcorresponding to the image index number in a setup value registrationtable at step S5 and control goes to the next step.

When the user presses the button 17 or 18, print size specificationmeans 4543 goes to a step for selecting a print paper size and displaysthe contents of a print size registration table in which print papersizes are previously registered. If the user presses the button 19 or 20to select a desired print paper size and presses the button 17 or 18,the selected print paper size is set and is stored in the locationcorresponding to the image index number in the setup value registrationtable at step S6 and control goes to the next step.

When the user presses the button 17 or 18, print color modespecification means 4544 goes to a step for selecting a print color modeand displays the contents of a print color mode registration table inwhich print color modes are previously registered. If the user pressesthe button 19 or 20 to select a desired print color mode and presses thebutton 17 or 18, the selected print color mode is set. If full color isselected as the print color mode, a print color mode parameter in an RGBconversion program 52 is set to 1. If a single color is selected as theprint color mode, the print color mode parameter in the RGB conversionprogram 52 is set to 2. If monochrome is selected as the print colormode, the print color mode parameter in the RGB conversion program 52 isset to 3. The print color mode parameter is stored in the locationcorresponding to the image index number in the setup value registrationtable at step S7.

When the user presses the button 17 or 18, output unit specificationmeans 4545 goes to a step for selecting an output unit and displays thecontents of an output unit registration table in which output units arepreviously registered. If the user selects a color printer as the outputunit, an output unit parameter in an image data transmission program 54is set to 1. If the user selects a facsimile as the output unit, theoutput unit parameter in the image data transmission program 54 is setto 2. If the user selects a PC as the output unit, the output unitparameter in the image data transmission program 54 is set to 3. If theuser selects a communication terminal as the output unit, the outputunit parameter in the image data transmission program 54 is set to 4. Ifthe user presses the button 17 or 18, the selected output unit is setand the setup value corresponding to the selected output unit is storedin the location corresponding to the image index number in the setupvalue registration table, then control returns to step S1 to displayanother candidate image. If another candidate image does not exist, theoutput unit parameter value is checked. If the value is 1 or 2, controlgoes to step S9; if the value is 3 or 4, control goes to step S16.

The control system 431 expands programs contained in a print image datapreparation program group 50 in the RAM 42 in order and transferscontrol to a compressed data decompression program 51 at step S9.

The compressed data decompression program 51 reads image data (JPEGimage data) selected by the print image selection means 453 into the RAM42 and decompresses the data at step S10.

At the termination of decompressing the compressed image data, the RGBconversion program 52 checks the print color mode parameter at step S11.If the print color mode parameter has a value of 1, control goes to stepS12. If the print color mode parameter has a value of 2, all UVcomponents of the image data are converted into U=u and V=v. If theprint color mode parameter has a value of 3, all UV components of theimage data are converted into U=0 and V=0.

The RGB conversion program 52 converts the image data consisting of YUVcomponents into image data consisting of R (red), G (green), and B(blue) components at step S12. When the UV components are U=u and V=v,the image data is converted into single-color image data. When the UVcomponents are U=0 and V=0, the image data is converted into monochromeimage data.

A rasterizer 531 converts the image data into RGB continuous-tone (forexample, 256-gray-level) bit image data undergoing raster conversion foreach of R, G, and B at step S13.

A color correction module 532 applies color correction processing to theRGB continuous-tone bit image data to relate the data to print colorsand converts the data into CMYK continuous-tone bit image data for K(black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) printing at step S14.

A halftone module 533 uses a dither method or an error diffusion methodto perform halftone processing for the CMYK continuous-tone bit imagedata at step S15, whereby a bit map binarized for each color (binarydata table) is prepared.

At the termination of the halftone processing, the image datatransmission program 54 checks the print color mode parameter. If thevalue of the print color mode parameter is 1, the image datatransmission program 54 transmits the setup values of the number ofprint sheets and the print paper size, a print control signal, andbinary bit map data to a color ink jet printer 240, for example, throughan interface 11 at step S16. The color ink jet printer 240 can receivethe print control signal and print data directly from the digital camera100 and print a desired number of sheets of the photographed image onrecording paper of a desired size.

If the user specifies a single color or monochrome as the print colormode, the image is printed in the single color or monochrome if it iscolor-photographed. If the value of the print color mode parameter is 2,the image data transmission program 54 transmits the setup values of thenumber of print sheets and the print paper size, a print control signal,and binary bit map data to a facsimile through an interface 11. If thevalue of the print color mode parameter is 3 or 4, the image datatransmission program 54 transmits JPEG image data or the setup values ofthe number of print sheets and the print paper size, a print controlsignal, and binary bit map data to PC 200 through the interface 11 or aterminal connected to a communication line 160 through a modem 150.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a flowchart to show an operation example of image selectionmeans 45B (FIG. 3B) wherein thumbnail images are displayed and the userselects a desired image and specifies print specifications of the numberof print sheets, print paper size, print color mode, etc., and an outputunit to which image data is to be transmitted.

When the image selection means 45B is transferred to a RAM 42, a controlsystem 431 transfers control to the image selection means 45B. Thumbnailimage display means 452 reads all thumbnail image data and expands thedata in the RAM 42 at step S21.

The thumbnail image display means 452 uses a data decompression programto decompose the thumbnail image data, enlarges the image data, adds anindex number to the enlarged thumbnail image data, and displays thethumbnail image on a liquid crystal display 16 at step S22. A number ofthumbnail images may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 16without enlarging the thumbnail image data. The thumbnail image displaymeans 452 is an example of a means for sequentially reading the reducedimage data from the means for recording.

Each time the user presses a button 19, print image selection means 453′displays one enlarged thumbnail image. If the user stops pressing thebutton 19, the print image selection means 453′ continues to display thecurrent thumbnail image. Each time the user presses a button 20, theprint image selection means 453′ displays the preceding thumbnail image.If the user stops pressing the button 20, the print image selectionmeans 453′ continues to display the current thumbnail image at step S23.Buttons 19 and 20 are examples of means for causing the means fordisplaying to display images in a quick scroll manner.

If the user stops pressing the button 19 or 20 and presses either thebutton 17 or 18 with the thumbnail image displayed, the print imageselection means 453′ assumes the image to be selected. When the userselects images from among the thumbnail images and completes selectionof desired images, the print image selection means 453′ transferscontrol to the control system 431. Buttons 17 and 18 are examples ofmeans for selecting image data corresponding to a desired image datafrom the images displayed in the quick scroll manner.

The control system 431 transfers control to output method specificationmeans 454. At step S25, the output method specification means 454handles output method specification processing of print specifications,an output unit to which image data is to be transmitted, etc., andchecks the value of an output unit parameter at step S25. If theparameter value is 1 or 2, control goes to step S26; if the parametervalue 3 or 4, control goes to step S27.

The control system 431 expands print image data and programs containedin a print image data preparation program group 50 in the RAM 42 inorder and transfers control to the print image data preparation programgroup 50 at step S26.

The print image data preparation program group 50 performs similarprocessing to steps S10 to S15 in FIG. 8, namely, performs decompressionprocessing of image data (JPEG image data) selected by the print imageselection means 453′, RGB conversion processing, rasterizing, colorcorrection processing, and halftone processing at step S27.

At the termination of the halftone processing, as at step S16 in FIG. 8,an image data transmission program 54 checks the output unit parameterand transmits the print image data or JPEG image data to the specifiedoutput unit at step S28.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a flowchart to show an operation example of image selectionmeans 45C (FIG. 3 c) wherein thumbnail image data is printed at aprinter and the user selects a desired image from among the printedthumbnail images and specifies print specifications of the number ofprint sheets, print paper size, print color mode, etc., and an outputunit to which image data is to be transmitted.

A control system 431 expands programs contained in a print image datapreparation program group 50 in a RAM 42 in order and transfers controlto the image selection means 45C at step S31.

Thumbnail image print means 452′ reads all thumbnail image data, expandsthe image data in the RAM 42, decompresses the thumbnail image data inthe RAM 42, and adds an index number to each thumbnail image data pieceat step S32.

As described at steps S12 to S15 in FIG. 8, the print image datapreparation program group 50 performs RGB conversion processing,rasterize processing, color correction processing, and halftoneprocessing to prepare print thumbnail image data and transmits the imagedata to a printer 240 at step S33. In this case, the thumbnail imageprint means 452′ may set U and V components of the thumbnail image datain the RAM 42 to U=0 and V=0 to print a monochrome thumbnail image atthe printer 240.

Thumbnail images each with an index number are printed at the printer240 at step S34. Print image selection means 453″ displays a message ona liquid crystal display, prompting the user to select a desired imagefrom among the printed thumbnail images and enter the index number ofthe selected image at step S35.

If the user presses a button 19 as many times as the number of digits ofthe index number of the desired image and then presses a button 17 or18, the print image selection means 453″ reads the image datacorresponding to the index number from a recording medium 9 into a framememory 6 and displays the image on a liquid crystal display 16 at stepS36.

If the user furthermore presses the button 17 or 18, the print imageselection means 453″ assumes the image to be selected and transferscontrol to output method specification means 454 at step S37.

The output method specification means 454 handles setting of printspecifications and specification of an output unit to which image datais to be transmitted at step S38 as at steps S4 to S8 in FIG. 8. Toselect another candidate image, control returns to step S35. If anothercandidate image does not exist, the value of an output unit parameter ischecked. If the parameter value is 1 or 2, control goes to step S39; ifthe parameter value is 3 or 4, control goes to step S40.

The print image data preparation program group 50 performs decompressionprocessing of selected image data (JPEG image data), RGB conversionprocessing, rasterize processing, color correction processing, andhalftone processing at step S39 as at steps S10 to S15 in FIG. 8.

At the termination of the halftone processing, as at step S16 in FIG. 8,an image data transmission program 54 checks the output unit parameterand transmits the print image data or JPEG image data to the specifiedoutput unit at step S40.

It is understood that the foregoing description is preferred embodimentsof the invention and that various changes and modifications may be madein the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

As described above, according to the invention, images are displayed ondisplay means such as a liquid crystal display of the digital camera andthe user selects a desired image from among the displayed images andspecifies the print specifications of the number of print sheets, aprint paper size, a print color mode, etc., then can transmit the printimage data prepared based on the user's selection and specification fromthe digital camera to a printer. Therefore, a photographed image can beprinted without intervention of another processing system such as a PCand it can be expected that digital cameras will come into wider use forthose who do not have a PC, etc., or who have a PC, but are unfamiliarwith handling the PC.

1. An apparatus for executing photoelectric conversion of image pickuplight and then recording the conversion result as image data, theapparatus comprising: a display portion; an image selection switch forsequentially displaying images on the display portion; a recordingmedium which records the image data; an image data selecting unit whichselects desired image data from the recording medium using the imageselection switch; and an output method specification screen displayingunit, which displays a screen on the display portion, the screen beingused for specifying a number of copies of the selected image; whereinthe image selection switch is used to set the number of copies.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output method specificationscreen displaying unit causes the display portion to display the number1 as a default value for the number of copies.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the image selection switch is used tochange the displayed number of copies.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the images displayed correspond to reduced image dataprepared based on the image data, and the images are sequentiallydisplayed on the display portion in a fast scroll manner.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the images displayed are imagesenlarged from the reduced image data.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the output method specification screen displaying unitdisplays a plurality of print specification items including the numberof copies, and the output method specification screen displaying unitincludes a unit for automatically moving from a first one of the printspecification items to a next, second one of the print specificationitems when the first one of the print specification items has been set.7. A print system comprising: a photoelectric conversion unit whichexecutes photoelectric conversion of image pickup light; a printing unitwhich executes printing; a display portion; an image selection switchfor sequentially displaying images on the display portion; a recordingmedium which records the image data; an image data selecting unit whichselects desired image data from the recording medium using the imageselection switch; and an output method specification screen displayingunit which displays a screen on the display portion, the screen beingused for specifying a number of copies of the selected image.
 8. Theprint system according to claim 7, wherein the output methodspecification screen displaying unit causes the display portion todisplay the number 1 as a default value for the number of copies.
 9. Theprint system according to claim 8, wherein the image selection switch isused to change the displayed number of copies.
 10. The print systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the images displayed correspond to reducedimage data prepared based on the image data, and the images aresequentially displayed on the display portion in a fast scroll manner.11. The print system according to claim 10, wherein the images displayedsequentially are images enlarged from the reduced image data.
 12. Theprint system according to claim 7, wherein the output methodspecification screen displaying unit displays a plurality of printspecification items including the number of copies, and the outputmethod specification screen displaying unit includes a unit forautomatically moving from a first one of the print specification itemsto a next, second one of the print specification items when the firstone of the print specification items has been set.
 13. A method,comprising: executing photoelectric conversion of image pickup light;recording the conversion result as image data in a recording medium;using an image selection switch display images sequentially on a displayportion; selecting image data from the recording medium using the imageselection switch; and causing the display portion to display a screen,the screen being used for specifying a number of copies of the selectedimage; wherein the image selection switch is used to set the number ofcopies.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the displayportion displays the number 1 as a default value for the number ofcopies.
 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprisingchanging the displayed number of copies by operating the image selectionswitch.
 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the imagesdisplayed correspond to reduced image data prepared based on the imagedata, and the images are sequentially displayed on the display portionin a fast scroll manner.
 17. The method according to claim 16, whereinthe images displayed sequentially are images enlarged from the reducedimage data.
 18. The method according to claim 13, wherein: a pluralityof print specification items are displayed, including the number ofcopies, and movement from a first one of the print specification itemsto a next, second one of the print specification items is automaticallyperformed when the first one of the print specification items has beenset.
 19. An apparatus for executing photoelectric conversion of imagepickup light and then recording the conversion result as image data, theapparatus comprising: means for displaying; means for recording theimage data; means for causing the means for displaying to display imagessequentially; means for selecting image data corresponding to a desiredimage selected from the displayed images; and means for causing themeans for displaying to display a screen used for specifying a number ofcopies of the selected image; wherein the means for causing the meansfor displaying to display images sequentially, and the means forselecting image data, are operated by an image selection switch, andwherein the image selection switch is used to set the number of copies.20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for causingthe means for displaying to display an output method specificationscreen causes the means for display to display the number 1 as a defaultvalue for the number of copies.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20,wherein the image selection switch is used to change the displayednumber of copies.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: theimages displayed correspond to reduced image data prepared based on theimage data, and the images are sequentially displayed, on the means fordisplaying, in a fast scroll manner.
 23. The apparatus according toclaim 22, wherein the images displayed sequentially are images enlargedfrom the reduced image data.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 19,wherein: a plurality of print specification items are displayed,including the number of copies, and movement from a first one of theprint specification items to a next, second one of the printspecification items is automatically performed when the first one of theprint specification items has been set.